How far is Vashon, WA from Federal Way, WA?

The driving distance from Vashon, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 29.6 miles (47.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 11.1 miles (17.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
29.56 mi
01h 05m
Flight
11.05 mi
17.78 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Vashon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
11.05 mi
Kilometers
17.78 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
29.56 mi
Kilometers
47.58 km
Drive Time
01h 05m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Sun, Apr 19, 4:23 AM PDT
Return by in Vashon
Sun, Apr 19, 5:28 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Vashon
2026-04-19T03:17
Arrive Federal Way
Sun, Apr 19, 4:23 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:20 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Vashon
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Fircrest
WA

City in Pierce County, Washington, United States

From Vashon
15.4 mi
00h 32m
To Federal Way
14.2 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Sunday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NNE
Destination
65°F
Sunday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Vashon and Federal Way.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Vashon and Federal Way.

  1. 1

    Start on 98th Place Southwest

    160 m · 28 sec · 98th Place Southwest

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Vashon Highway Southwest

    8.9 mi · 16 min · Vashon Highway Southwest

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Ferry Dock

    132 m · 9 sec · Ferry Dock

  4. 4

    Continue on Point Defiance-Tahlequah Ferry

    1.8 mi · 15 min · Point Defiance-Tahlequah Ferry

  5. 5

    Continue on North Pearl Street

    1627 ft · 56 sec · North Pearl Street

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Pearl Street

    38 m · 5 sec · North Pearl Street

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto North Pearl Street

    3.3 mi · 8 min · North Pearl Street

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland

    1663 ft · 43 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    2.9 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    1.5 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle

    683 ft · 17 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    1356 ft · 19 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right

    10 mi · 13 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Federal Way, South 320th Street

    1774 ft · 51 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South 320th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South 320th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Pacific Highway South

    2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Vashon and Federal Way.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
64.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 North
10.7 mi · 36%
Vashon Highway Southwest
8.86 mi · 30%
WA 16 East
4.19 mi · 14%
North Pearl Street
3.66 mi · 12%
Point Defiance-Tahlequah Ferry
1.82 mi · 6%
South 320th Street
0.83 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 5 North

Keep slight right

10 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.5 mi
11.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fircrest
00h 32m from Vashon
Leave By
4:20 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Vashon and Chance Light Rain near Federal Way.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Vashon to Federal Way?

The road trip is about 29.6 miles (47.6 km) and usually takes 01h 05m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Fircrest is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.4 miles from Vashon and 14.2 miles from Federal Way.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 11.1 miles (17.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:20 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.44 one way or $10.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Vashon and Chance Light Rain near Federal Way.

Stop Ideas Near Fircrest

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Fircrest and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 3.2 mi away

Old City Hall Tacoma

Tacoma , WA
625 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.8/5 5 reviews Coworking space,Restaurant,Retail space rental agency
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 13.7 mi away

Auburn Building Permits

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews City government office,Professional services
Lakewood City Hall
Meeting point 5.7 mi away

Lakewood City Hall

Fircrest
6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
Rating 3.8/5 19 reviews City Hall
Auburn Community & Event Center
Nearby stop 14.1 mi away

Auburn Community & Event Center

Auburn , WA
Parks, Arts & Recreation Administration Building, 910 9th St SE, Auburn, WA 98002
Rating 4.5/5 84 reviews Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fircrest.

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

7 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

32 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

Centennial Station

35 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

King Street Station

42 mi away
303 South Jackson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Vashon and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 11.05 mi (17.78 km).

Vashon

#1 Vashon

Town on Vashon Island in King County, Washington, United States

Population10,624
Coordinates47.4473200, -122.4598500
Altitude116
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: 98th Place Southwest (-122.459856, 47.447352)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 48 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 22m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.04 gal
3.95 L · about $5.44
Round trip
$10.88
2.08 gal · 7.9 L
Estimated CO2
9.2 kg one way
Round trip: 18.5 kg / 41 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $5.44 $10.88
Mid-grade $5.57 $5.79 $11.58
Premium $5.77 $6.00 $12.00
Diesel $5.47 $5.69 $11.37

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Washington · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Vashon and Federal Way. The current time is 03:17:57.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.